Investigating the effect of M-sand on abrasion resistance of Roller Compacted Concrete containing GGBS

In this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of Manufactured sand (M-sand) on strength and abrasion resistance of Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS) Roller Compacted Concrete (GRCC). The cement was partially replaced by GGBS from 0% to 60%. The GRCC mixes were designed to have a flexural strength of 5 MPa according to ACI 211.3R guidelines. Fine aggregates of three combinations were used in GRCC mixes, namely river sand (100%-Series A), M-sand (100%-Series B) and combination of river sand and M-sand (50% each-Series C). Studies on strength parameters (Compression and Flexure) were conducted. Cantabro loss and Surface abrasion resistance tests were conducted to evaluate the abrasion resistance of the GRCC mixes for 3, 7, 28 and 90 days. Experimental results show that the Cantabro loss and Surface abrasion weight loss increased with increase in GGBS content at the age of 3 days. But at later ages (7, 28, 90 days) a decrease trend in weight loss was observed for all the mixes. With addition of M-sand in GRCC mixes the abrasion resistance of GRCC mixes were improved when compared to river sand mixes. Relationships were established between strength and abrasion resistance for all mixes (Series A, B and C). An empirical relation was proposed between Cantabro loss and Surface abrasion weight loss of GRCC mixes.